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'This is Drew' | UNC Charlotte shooting victim fills social media with first steps, first meal, final surgery

The 19-year-old student made some great strides at the hospital this week.

Author: Mitzi Morris

Published: 10:42 PM EDT May 18, 2019

Updated: 4:17 PM EDT May 22, 2019

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Drew Pescaro returned to social media this week, keeping the Queen City informed as he recovers from the shooting at UNC Charlotte on April 30.

Others had been posting for him since the tragedy. But he made it clear on May 11, he was back in action.

"This is Drew running it from now on. Update: Still in the hospital and recovering but feeling much better. Thank you for all of your support!" he tweeted.

Pescaro's post the next day was, of course, about his mom. It was Mother's Day, after all.

"I can’t say enough about my Mom who has been supporting me through this whole process," he tweeted. "So much time has been devoted towards getting me better and she has been at the head of all of it. I love her very much."

Monday was a big day. The 19-year-old took his first steps without a walker.

"I felt the need to share it with everyone," he said.

The video he tweeted showed him walking down the hallway with an IV pole and some assistance. You could hear "Chariots of Fire" playing in the background.

On Wednesday, Pescaro took another big step: His first meal in 15 days.

Pescaro even FaceTimed with Tim Tebow, former NFL quarterback and current outfielder for the Syracuse Mets.

Pescaro survived the UNC Charlotte shooting along with 23-year-old Emily Houpt, 20-year-old Sean Dehart, and 20-year-old Rami Alramadhan. Houpt received her degree in international studies last weekend.

Ellis "Reed" Parlier, 19, and Riley Howell, 21, the two students killed in the shooting, were honored at commencement. Their families received their sons' diplomas. There are also two permanent scholarships in their memories.